Bodhisatva Sharma

Bodhisatva Sharma (1717-1796) was a Republican activist in the Maratha Confederacy. He is especially known for his leadership of the ''Maratha Republica Movement. ''

Early Life
Bodhisatva Sharma grew up in a middleclass family, the oldest of eight children in the Maratha Confederacy. Due to a lack of money he did not study at any college or university.

Involvement in Politics
Sharma was able to finance himself a boat trip to Paris, France in 1752 where he met the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and other political thinkers who inspired him with the idea of a Republic. Upon his return to the Maratha Confederacy in 1753 he founded an underground movement against the monarchy, the Maratha Republica Movement, a secret organisation that worked on plans to overthrow the monarchy. The group gained a lot of popularity and soon was prepared for a Revolution.

Arrest, trial and execution
In 1756, Sharma was arrested and accused of conspiracy against the Monarchy. He had to defend himself before the High Court and was sentenced to death. He was executed by a firing squad in the backyard of the court.

Significance
The execution of Sharma caused the uprising of the Maratha Republica Movement. Just a few weeks after Sharma's death, armed members of the movement stormed the Palace of Tarabai III. Although the movement was destroyed by the royal forces, it made way for the Revolution of the Maratha Confederacy in 1807. Bodhisatva Sharma is remembered as a republican and a freedom hero in India.